<p><strong>Episode 49 – Is university for everyone? Access, affordability and opportunities</strong></p><br><p>In this episode, we tackle a big and often debated question: is university really for everyone? But before we tell you all about it, check out a fantastic resource we didn't have time to mention - the Sutton Trust Contextual Offer tool (<a href="https://suttontrust.notion.site/2025-Contextual-Offers-Tool-for-UK-Universities-4f6da89f96a441828a0a0d31e92e38cd" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">2025 Contextual Offers Tool for UK Universities</a>)</p><br><p>Back to the episode now. We're explore what <em>widening participation</em> actually means in practice, why it matters, and how universities and organisations work to make higher education more accessible for students from underrepresented backgrounds.</p><br><p>Andrew Hunter, Senior Programmes Manager at The Sutton Trust, joins Claire Mula, a Law with Business student and aspiring solicitor, alongside host Dr Leah Brooks, Chief Operating Officer at Future Frontline, to unpack the realities behind access, affordability and opportunity.</p><br><p><strong>We’ll cover:</strong></p><ul><li>What widening participation means and how students are identified as eligible for support</li><li>Why widening participation is so important for universities and organisations like the Sutton Trust</li><li>The types of support and opportunities available to help students from widening participation backgrounds succeed</li><li>University events and programmes designed specifically for widening participation students</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>The conversation then shifts to lived student experience, with honest reflections on:</strong></p><ul><li>What feels most challenging when arriving at university as a first-generation student</li><li>Whether university is becoming too expensive for students from low-income families</li><li>One message for students questioning whether university is for them</li><li>Whether university is truly for everyone</li><li>How accessible top universities really are, regardless of background</li></ul><p><br></p><p>This episode offers a balanced, practical discussion for students, parents and educators navigating questions around fairness, access and the future of higher education.</p><br><p><strong>Featuring:</strong></p><p>Andrew Hunter, Senior Programmes Manager at The Sutton Trust</p><p>Claire Mula, Law with Business student and an aspiring solicitor</p><p>Dr Leah Brooks, Chief Operating Officer at Future Frontline and Uni Guide Podcast host</p><br><p><strong>Students, Parents, Carers and Teachers </strong>- please access these <strong>FREE</strong> resources:</p><br><p><strong>UniTasterDays.com</strong></p><p><a href="https://unitasterdays.com/students/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Students' Guide to University Brochure</a></p><p><a href="https://www.unitasterdays.com/parents/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Parents’ Guide to University Brochure</a></p><p><a href="https://www.unitasterdays.com/teachers/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Teachers' Guide to University Brochure</a></p><p><a href="https://www.unitasterdays.com/event-incentives/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">University event incentive platform</a></p><p><a href="https://www.unitasterdays.com/jargonbuster/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">University Jargon Buster</a></p><p><a href="https://www.unitasterdays.com/university-subject-guide-videos/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">University Subject Guide Videos</a></p><p><a href="https://www.unitasterdays.com/listen-to-the-university-guide-podcast/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Uni Guide Podcast - all episodes</a></p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>